This is a small project designed for you to showcase your sewing talents. Entries may be for any occasion, any color or any size (that fits on a sofa or comparable household furniture). The guidelines are wide open for you to create. Sew a pillow using as much imagination as you like. You may enter up to four different pillows. Pillows must be completed within the last year.

For this challenge, use a link tool. Click the “add link” button (below) to enter your pillows directly to the gallery. (Once button is clicked–it may appear as a workable link). If you aren’t able to upload, no problem; simply email a photo of your completed project to info@ziemanproductions.com. Deadline for photo entries is March 3, 2015.

If you have a website, copy the code above and paste it into your website editor to have the Pillow Sewing Challenge badge on your site.

If you are on social sites like Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, or Facebook, let all your friends know you are working on the Pillow Sewing challenge by tagging your post with the hashtag: #NZPillowChallenge.

The hashtag is a searchable “word” associated with an event or activity, which, when searched on popular social websites, like Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, and Facebook, shows every single post using that hashtag. Even if you don’t personally know that stitcher, you’ll see her/his progress and a photo. Hashtags are a fun way to network and connect with people who share similar interests.

Inspiration: Traditional Cathedral Window Block

A traditional Cathedral Window Quilt block is the source for our first inspiration pillow. Follow along on the Pellon Projects site as Kim Niedzwiecki enlarges the traditional block and makes the design bold with bright, fresh colors.

Inspiration: Computer Pixels

Look no further than your computer for the next pillow inspiration; Kati Spencer shares her Pixel Pillow on the Pellon Projects site. She uses bold graphic squares, which are reminiscent of the dotted-look that images have online.

Inspiration: Fabric Magic

On occasion it isn’t only seeing something that triggers inspiration, but rather trying something new. In this case I’m referring to the Fabric Magic product by Pellon. This unique sew-in interfacing gives amazing texture to fabric as it permanently shrinks up to 30%. Alexandra Henry uses the Fabric Magic in two ways to create these featured pillows. Read more at the Pellon Projects site.

Inspiration: Wildlife and Nature

Nature is often a source of inspiration in any form of artwork; sewing is no exception. Rachael Gander showcases raccoons in her pillow set, the appliqué shapes are reversed to create the illusion that the raccoons are sitting in different directions. Read more about this design on the Pellon Projects site.

Thank you to our sponsors!

2015 Pillow Sewing Challenge Schedule

Share your comments below about the Pillow Sewing Challenge and let us know if you plan to join!

Get Stitching!

Email challenge questions to info@ziemanproductions.com. Challenge not open to sponsors, employees, and immediate family members. Photos and techniques may be featured in future promotions, blog posts, videos, and/or TV shows.

Nancy Zieman—author, pattern designer, businesswoman, producer, and national sewing authority—is the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. Follow Nancy’s blog at NancyZieman.com/blog and sign up to receive Nancy’s E-News for the latest news in Sewing, Quilting, Creating, and Block of the Month updates.

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16 Comments

Terri BurtonFebruary 23, 2015

i completed a pillow and your kind staff uploaded it for me today. Thanks for the inspiration!

Diane BeaversFebruary 19, 2015

Of course I will partake in a Pillow Sewing Challenge!
Besides zipper pouches, PILLOWS and more Pillows are my favorite item to sew for my home and everyone else’s home:) Thank you Nancy for the invitation.

wow what a pillow I can not do that it will take me longer to do it. but beautiful.

Joyce WilsonFebruary 4, 2015

I’m making my granddaughter a spring dress with a sailor collar. I made up my mind to give your wrapped collar technique a try. Oh my I must say , corners so sharp and crisp that they could almost cut out my next dress project LOL. I can see where this would be a great help in making perfectly squared pillows. The entries so far are so nice. They’re sure are some talented fabric artists in your audience. God bless everyone.

LorijFebruary 4, 2015

I enjoy making pillows and plan to enter at least one in this contest.

Bonnie AndersonFebruary 4, 2015

Would love to enter the pillow challenge

Debra ArmstrongFebruary 4, 2015

The contest made for me. I have always loved making pillows!

Diane S.February 3, 2015

I can’t wait to see the entries.

Donna ThomasFebruary 3, 2015

Link off FB page says maximum number received for the pillow challenge. Is this correct?

Nancy ZiemanFebruary 3, 2015

I apologize. There was a glitch in the link tool setting. It has been corrected and is ready for more entries.

Nancy ZiemanFebruary 3, 2015

Donna, we had a small glitch. It’s fixed now. Please try again.

DebeFebruary 3, 2015

Maybe this will encourage me to get the pillows done that I have planned to make for a while. LOL Hope to enter. There are some great ideas in this post.